The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-03

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the evidences of Savannah's steady growth
and continued prosperity. A glance at the
reviews of the different kinds of business
for the year that closed on Aug. 81 reveals
the pleasing fact that the city is growing
in Importance as a commercial centre, and
is gradually gaining control of the trade of
new territory.
Savannah still holds her place as the sec
ond cotton port of the country and the
greatest naval stores market of the world,
and the indications are that she will con-
tinue to hold it; and while tbs forests and
fields pour their wealth into her lap her
merchants, by their energy and enterprise,
will increase her Importance as distribu-
ting point for all kinds of merchandise.
The efforts made by rival cities to draw
her trade away from her have not been sue
ceSsful, but the fact that these efforts have
not ceased and are not likely to cease,
should not be overlooked. Railroads arc
projected in different parts of this State
and Florida, and some of them are being
built, The effect Of ali of them will he to
change to some extent the shannels through
which trade flows. Savannah should be
SO watchful of her interests as to
ward off any injury to her prosperity that
may be threatened by new railroads. In
deed, she should do more than simply guard
against possible harm. She should lend
helping hand in the work of building such
railroads as will bring her trade. She need
NOT expect that railroads that will greatly
benefit her will be built without her aid.
Her rivals will take care, in building rail
roads for their own ADVANCEMENT, to do her
aS little good as they possibly can.
As prosperous as the business of Savannah
is, and as bright as her prospects for the
future are, it will be admitted that there is
one thing in which she is wanting, and that
is public spirit. Her citizens are so much
engEossed in their own affairs that they fail
to take as much interest as they ought to in
things which are for the general good For
years the necessity for new hotel has been
discussed, and nobody doubts, apparently,
that hotel affording first-class accommo-
daticns would pay a handsome interest upon
the money invested in it. There is plenty
of money in the city seeking investment,
but for some reason or other it cannot
be obtained for hotel. There
is another thing which ought to arrest the
attention of the city's leading business men.
1t is that the time is not very distant when
the greater part of her cotton factorage
business will be transferred to the interior.
OF course as much cotton as ever will con-
tinue to come here for shipment abroad,
but it will not leave as much money as at
present, and will not afford occupation for
as many people as it does now.
The population of the city is increasing,
and there must be some way opened for
them to earn a living. Efforts should be
made to start manufactures, just as they
have been started elsewhere in the South.
A cotton seed oil mill has been built here
within the last few weeks, and, doubtless,
there are other kinds of mills which could
be operated profitably here. AS the cotton
factorage business declines, manufacturing
of all kinds should increase. The money
that is released from the one should be put
into the other. This matter of providing
occupation for the city's increasing popula-
ton should not be put off until the necessity
for considering it becomes Imperative, but
De TAKEN III mana at once.
The amount of building that has been
done within the last year, particularly in
the southern part of the city, is subject
for congratulation. A great many hand
some houses have been erected, and the
prospect is that the city will continue to
push southwark rapidly. The number and
character of the improvements show that
~
unimpaired but is becoming stronger And
why shouldn't it grow stronger! Savannah
is certain to remain the greatest of the
South Atlantic seaperts, and her growth
must keep pace with that of the
great section of country that is
tributary to her. Her railroads are reach
ing into. new territory and in a compare
lively short time very considerable per-
centage of the products OF the West must
seek the seaboard at her wharves. Before
another business year is ended the Central
railroad will be completed to Birmingham
and will there find Western connection.
The Savannah Florida and Western
railway will also soon have a connec-
ton with Birmingham, and the Savannah
Dublin and Western is building in that
direction. These additional railroad facili-
ties justify the conclusion that more steam
ships will be needed here in the near future
The Improvement of the river is progress
ing as rapidly as appropriations for that
purpose can be obtained. The survey for
twenty-eight feet of'water from the city to
the sea has been completed, and will be
made tho basis for larger appropriations
next winter.
What is needed now as much as anything
else is an earnest and harmonious effort on
the part of all who are interested in Sa-
vannah's welfare to push her forward to
greater prosperity. The conditions are all
favorable ana the exhibition Of public spirit
would work wonders Let those who have
money to invest put it into enterprises of
ono kind and another that will afford oc-
cupation for the people instead of boarding
it in the banks or purchasing securities that
pay only small interest. Savannah will
have a splendid future if her rich citizens
and business men discharge faithfully the
duty they owe her.
Tao gross corruption of a number
of Cuban custom house officials is
illustrated by story told by a New
York merchant. engaged in trade